The 2022 UNM Gives United Way campaign, which has become an annual fall tradition at the University of New Mexico, kicks off New Mexico style with the 4th Annual Salsa Showdown competition set for Tuesday, October 4th.
Registration for recipe posts is ongoing and is limited to the first 10 entries. Contest registration closes at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, September 20th. The prize for the winning salsa recipe is one year of free parking on her par with an existing parking permit (Courtesy of PATS).
Every two years, despite the global pandemic, the university has launched its annual UNM Gives campaign to raise money for United Way in Central New Mexico at the Salsa Showdown. All students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in the best salsa recipes on campus. If you have an old family favorite, or if it’s a “famous salsa” you’re always asked to bring to picnics and parties, submit your recipe by Tuesday, September 20th.
Entries (10) have been prepared by UNM’s Chartwells Catering, and on Tuesday, Oct. 4, Lobos will be able to grab samples of salsa competing with bags of chips in the SUB Atrium and vote for their favorites online. Winners don’t just brag. UNM Parking and Transportation (PATS) will also waive parking fees for the remainder of the school year. It’s a great way to focus your attention on a larger purpose while dealing with salsa cravings.
This year’s Grab N’ Go Salsa Showdown event, sponsored by the Office of the President, will be similar to last year, including limited participation (10 contestants) and online voting due to ongoing health and safety guidelines related to COVID-19 will be of the form 19.
Attendees attending the Salsa Showdown can register and submit their favorite homemade salsa recipes and Chartwells Catering will prepare the salsa on the day of the event. Attendees pick up a “Grab N’ Go” bag of chips and salsa, sample them wherever they want, and vote for their favourites.
Tastings will be on Tuesday, October 4th at SUB from 12:30pm to 2:00pm or until supplies last. The event is competitive, delicious and once again helps kick off his UNM Gives United Way campaign this year. Voting is open from 12:30pm on October 4th to 5:00pm on October 7th.
The annual Salsa Showdown has been a major attraction in generating excitement for the UNM Gives United Way campaign. In 2019, over 200 people attended the inaugural and in-person events, and he cast over 700 votes for over 20 entries. The winner was determined by popular vote.
After the success of the 2019 event, the organizers of the UNM Gives United Way campaign decided to hold the event in 2020, using the Grab N’ Go concept within the state’s COVID-19 health guidelines. We’ve come up with a fun way to conduct an event. While state health guidelines have relaxed a bit in recent years, campaign organizers still felt it was prudent to conduct their events with the utmost in health and safety in mind.
Bridget, campaign coordinator for UNM Gives, said: I don’t know.
The University of New Mexico has supported the United Way of Central New Mexico (UWCNM) for over 30 years. Last year’s UNM Gives campaign raised over $516,000. His UNM participation in the United Way campaign goes far beyond supporting the annual campaign. Many faculty, staff, and students volunteer at his UWCNM, participate in events, and support throughout the year through service and volunteerism.
For more information on our annual campaign, visit the United Way of Central New Mexico.
